H.C.Haarstick, Night Flowering Red Lily

Nymphaea, H.C.Haarstick

General information: It is a deep red coloured night blooming water lily that opens about 10 pm and closes in the moring about 10 am. It could close earlier if the sun shines directly onto it. I have seen large hawk moths visiting this flower at night and assume they are one of the pollinators. This lily is a large plant and not recommended for small ponds.

Cultivation notes : It can be planted in a pot or directly in the bottom of the pond. Suggested water depth is 45 cm for best results. When potting a lily it is best to add a slow release fertiliser tabs to the bottom of the pot. We suggest dinosaur dung of course but any good quality slow release fertiliser will do. A good water lily potting mix consists of heavy loam soil mixed with top soil, blend with some water to make a thick mud that will prevent air from being trapped in the mix. Air in the soil will restrict plant growth. The top of the potting mix can be covered with coarse gravel or small to medium flat stones to stop fish gigging in the pots.

Distribution : It is a cultivated variety with the origin traced back to 1922, a lily called Mrs D.R.Francis was crossed with an unknown plant.

Selling details : Sold as an individual plant with the roots washed free of substrate.

Reference: Nash & Stroupe (1998) Aquatic Plants andf their Cultivation Roninson (2003) Plants for Ponds, Rock and water Features http://www.victoria-adventure.org/waterlilies/names/h.htm